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Celebrating our unique culture
By Linda Brehaut, International President
As I was reflecting on what I might write in my article for this issue of the HI Note, I started to think about IC&C (no surprise there!) and that led me to thinking about the 1,000+ members who will not be joining us in Grand Rapids. I started to ask myself if they might feel like I have overlooked them in my focus on getting away. Please know that I have not! But it is fun to imagine if all 2,000 of us landed in the same place for four days ... what a happening it would be! I will celebrate with those who are there and hope that many of our friends at home are watching on the live stream.
For now, I will think of the many chapters that are planning shows and performances at home. You are just as committed to the joy of sharing your music with appreciative audiences. Our vision statement reads, “Harmony, Inc. will be a leader in the International a cappella community, celebrating and sharing our unique culture.” I’m sure every member of Harmony is committed to celebrating and sharing our unique culture (just to clarify, this unique culture is our culture – every organization has one that is unique to them.) Whether you share it from home or share it from away – celebrate the event, big or small!
I had the privilege of attending the World Harmony Council Meeting a couple of weeks ago and was proud to sit at the table as the representative of Harmony, Inc. I shared that our organization is stable, post pandemic, both in membership and financially. Leaders from over 20 different Barbershop organizations around the world shared highlights from their respective organizations. Harmony, Inc. feels even stronger on this side of the pandemic.
Enjoy that fall air (hopefully no forest fire smoke still lingering!) and keep on singing. (As I always told my kids' choir, “You can’t be grumpy when you sing.” So just keep on singing!)
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LINDA BREHAUT
By Kim Meechan, Director of Philanthropy
As a member of the IBOD, I am fully aware of the amount of work that is done at that level by our elected members. The gift of time, when we volunteer in any capacity, is worth more than we can imagine. Our current president not only donates her time to Harmony, Inc. but she also donates financially. If you have had a chance to work with her or speak to her at conventions, you know that her love of Harmony, Inc. shines through in everything she does. Read on to learn more about Linda Brehaut and why Harmony, Inc. means so much to her!
How did you discover Harmony, Inc.?
In September of 1995, both my children had started school and one evening I was out, so unable to put them to bed. In the morning, I asked my daughter if she did her reading homework. Her response was, “No, because you weren’t home.” I realized that it was time to show my children that I was more than a mom (for the record… I loved and still love being a mom!) I shared this moment with a friend, and she invited me to a coaching session that weekend. Talk about overwhelming! It was truly a decision that changed my life in amazing ways. It also encouraged my children to be the independent adults they are today.
What stands out for you as your most memorable moment while being a member of Harmony, Inc.?
There are so many! Every year, there is a moment (many moments) when I just stop and realize what a gift this organization has been to me. Being encouraged by others to put my name forward to serve as the International President was incredible. The fact that others believed I could do it, that I had the skills, that I could work past my social awkwardness and serve the organization in a way I never dreamt possible. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to give back in this capacity. Harmony changes us in a good way!
What keeps you motivated to stay with Harmony, Inc.?
I know what a difference it has made, and continues to make, in my personal development, and I see it happening in others. Just recently, a new member spoke about the acceptance she feels and the safe place we have created that allows members to be who they are. I am humbled and proud to be part of that experience. Throughout my years as a member, I realized that I did not find Harmony; Harmony found me – the person I was hiding inside that was slowly being revealed (and maybe still is!)
Why do you donate to Harmony, Inc., and what impact do you hope to see because of your donations?
As members, we all give back to the organization every time we sing or perform together, every time we volunteer to do something at the Chapter, Area, or International level. I love that we are a volunteer run organization. I know that as volunteers, we do not do something to be rewarded, but nevertheless we are, in so many ways. By donating to Harmony, Inc., I am hoping that we can continue to develop programs, hold our conventions and contests, support our judging programs and our leadership, and keep our membership costs at a level that it will not be a barrier to belonging to an organization that values each and every member.
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Did you get the email?
By Kathy Greason, ICJ Chair
Hi, 2023 IC&C Chorus and Quartet Contestants. On September 21, I sent an email to the contact people who appeared on the Contest Entry Form you submitted for Grand Rapids. The email contained information about contest warmup rooms, stage dimensions, and stage viewing, as well as some miscellaneous reminders.
Contact folks, did you get it?
Did you share it with your chorus or quartet?
I am thinking of the potential for changed contact information, bulk mail to spam, full inboxes, mistyped addresses (though I copied right from the Contest Entry Forms) and even possible recipient forgetfulness (say it ain't so!).
If an email from me on the subjects noted hasn't arrived, maybe check your spam folder? Or drop me a note, and I will send it right over!
Volunteers still needed!
By Anne Leinen, IC&C Volunteer Manager
Hello Harmony - It’s hard to believe it’s October! As you start making mental lists of all you need to do/pack for convention, please think about volunteering while you are in Grand Rapids. Volunteers make sure our convention runs smoothly, for the benefit of all attendees. There are still volunteer jobs which need to be filled and we need your help.
Some examples:
Warm-up Room Monitor (all contests): Our contestants depend on these important volunteers to provide direction and a calm setting before going on stage. If you’d prefer to volunteer for a portion of a contest, email me and we’ll make that happen.
Presenter Door Monitor (quartet finals, chorus): Help manage award presenters and recipients as they arrive and leave the backstage area. Be a part of the excitement during the awards segment of the contest.
Ticket Sellers (chorus): We always have last-minute attendees who need to buy tickets at the door. You will be able to see part of the contest.
Personal belongings monitors (quartet semis, chorus): Watch contestants’ belongings while they are on stage. You’ll be backstage and able to see the contest on the jumbo screen.
There are other jobs available as well. Please click on the link below and see which job fits your schedule.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f45aaaa2fa6f85-quartet11#/
You can also access the signup by clicking the “Sign Me Up” button on the IC&C page on our website. If you have any questions about a volunteer job or signing up for one, please feel free to contact Anne Leinen.
The paths are clear
By Shannon Shelton-Muller, IC&C Marketing Manager
Attention all choruses and quartets! The contest patterns are here for your viewing pleasure. As always, there will be guides along the way to make sure you don't take an unwanted detour, but here's your chance for a preview.
Need to know what the stage setup will look like? We've got you covered there, too. Here's the stage diagram.
Questions? Please contact Contest/Stage Manager Linda Hilko.
Want more rehearsing? You Can Reserve a Room for Open Rehearsal Time.
There are still time slots available on Thursday, November 9 to book a chorus rehearsal room. Open rehearsal rooms are available every hour from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If your chorus would like to book an open rehearsal room in advance, please make the request to the IC&C Team Assistant with your preferred time. If you wish to book a room when you arrive at IC&C, the sign-up sheet will be available in the Hospitality Room.
Celebrate With the AHQ!
The Association of Harmony Queens (AHQ) invites you to the social of the year in the DeVos Center Friday, November 10 at 8:30 p.m. Entrance to the Parade of Champions is included in your AEP. Don't have an AEP? You can get a ticket at the door for $15. For Heaven’s Sake, Livewire, Change of Heart, Taken 4 Granite, Aged to Perfection, Spot On and our current Quartet Champions, Take 4, as well as 2022 Chorus Champs Northern Blend will entertain us royally. A cash(less) bar will be available! See you there!
The Geek Book Is Back for Its 13th Edition!
Have you heard about the Geek Book? The little book with the stats of all the quartets and choruses? It is filled with info about the contest. There is even a place to draw in the outfits! There are tags and a crossword too, but the best part of the book is that it is written by those who will cross the stage…. they answer silly questions and tell us about themselves. That’s the part I love reading more than anything else!
If you are a contestant and haven’t heard from us, please reach out to Maria at MariaDGabriella@gmail.com.
If you’d like to purchase a book, please visit https://womenofnote.org/geekbook2023.
Thank you for your continued support!
Give Back To The Community
Harmony, Inc. is partnering with a local women's resource center to provide personal care items. You can help in our efforts by bringing with you brand new items only from the following list:
- shampoo/conditioner (for women of color these brands are requested: Shea Moisture, Carol's Daughter, Cantu or Pantene Gold Series)
- razors
- body wash
- bar soap
- toothpaste
- face wash
- makeup remover wipes
- face moisturizer
- body and hand lotion
There will be a table at registration for you to turn in items.
TUNE UP TIPS
- Tick tock, tick tock! Time is going fast. Don't forget to register your chorus or quartet songs for contest. This information is due on or before October 20. For easy access to the form, click here or go to the IC&C Event Page on harmonyinc.org.
- Early bird pricing may be over for AEP Registration but you can still get them online until November 3 with an additional late fee added of $10 each. After that, AEPs and tickets can only be purchased at the door.
- You can book your room online at https://www.experiencegr.com/harmony-inc/. Room rate = $164 + 15% tax. The deadline is October 13.
- Photo order forms are on the website: Harmony Inc. 2023
Don't Miss A Moment!
Acaville makes sure you don't miss a note! Sign up and get in on all the fun happening in Grand Rapids. It's the perfect solution, whether you're watching from home or you want to make sure you can see it all because your chorus or quartet or BOTH will be taking the stage. Whether you see it livestream or watch the recordings from the Acaville site later, make sure you don't miss all the behind the scenes footage by signing up today.
Membership Levels – Harmony, Inc on Acaville
Collectible IC&C Pins Are Back
2023 marks the fourth year that Sisters of Sound chorus from Clermont, Florida, will be offering commemorative pins featuring the IC&C logo. Bulk orders of 10 or more pins can be reserved in advance of IC&C for pick up in Grand Rapids, and individual pins will be available for purchase at the contest.
Add this keepsake to your lanyard for $15, payable by cash, check, Zelle, and Pay Pal. These pins are limited in quantity, so email annlkem@yahoo.com to place advance group orders or look for our zany Pin Patrol at IC&C. See you in Grand Rapids!
IC&C Education – Something for Everyone!
By Anne Colt, Education Coordinator
IC&C isn’t just about the singing – it’s also about learning! We have some exciting classes lined up including all your favorites: Singing with the Queens and the Quartet and Chorus Master Classes. We have classes offered by our judging panel, certified judges, and our own Harmony, Inc. members.
Here is our All-Star line-up:
* Converting Guest to Member with Angie Beatty and Sue Marderness
* Bring the Lyrics to Life with Gene Spilker
* We Got the Matching Shoes, Now What? with Rod Sgrignoli
* Preparing the Performer, Using the Voice, Body, and Imagination with Theresa Weatherbee
* Broadway to Barbershop with Joe Hunter and Theresa Weatherbee
* Say This, Not That and What the Scores Mean and How to Get Better with Adam Scott
* Speech Level Singing is the Refusal to Reach with Nate Ogg
* How to Make a Great First Impression with Sandi Wright
* The World’s Ten Best Tags (According to David Wright) with David Wright
* Chorus Master Class with Katie Taylor
* Mixed Barbershop Singing and an Introduction to the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association with Barry Towner, Bill Colosimo, Jan DelVecchio, Angie Morton-Locke, Roxanne Powell
* From Beginning to Winning! with Sandi Wright and Take 4
* 3 Lens Coaching with Joe Hunter, Rob Mance, Rod Sgrignoli, and SolFire Quartet
* Project Management for Barbershop Organizations and Ballroom to Barbershop and Back with Rob Arnold
* The Chorus Warm Up: The Most Important Part of the Rehearsal with Rob Mance
This year we also have two classes to introduce the new Musicality Category: Musicality - Presto Change-O! with Rod Sgrignoli and Steve Tramack, and How to Leverage the Musicality Category for Your Non-Contest Music with Cary Burns.
Whether you sing in a chorus, a quartet, or are a musical or team leader, we have a class for you. So set aside time on Wednesday morning @ 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and gain the skills and knowledge to help you make Pure Harmony!
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read all about it!
COMING SOON!
The 2022-23 edition of The Key-Note heads to "press" this week. Check your inboxes for a link to the inside scoop on Harmony Queens Take 4, the shenanigans of Chorus Champions Northern Blend, and lots and LOTS of pictures of all your favorite 2022 contestants. Oh, the memories!
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| 2023 Delegates/Associates Meeting |
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2023 Delegates/Associates Meeting
By Debbie Parmerter, International Parliamentarian
The 2023 Delegates/Associates Meeting will be held via Zoom on Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Chapter Presidents (Delegates)
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may select another chapter member to serve as an Alternate Delegate by completing Form HAR-029 found in the Members-only section of the Harmony, Inc. website.
Associates
You are encouraged to attend this meeting. The voting privilege of Associate members will be exercised through the vote of one Associate elected at this meeting.
General
The agenda for the International Board of Directors Annual Meeting will be posted on the Harmony website by mid-October. Delegates and Associates should review the agenda and note any items you would like discussed. ♪This is an opportunity for members to discuss the business conducted and decisions made by the International Board of Directors.
Elections Committee
During this meeting, Delegates will elect an Elections Committee for the 2023 International Board of Directors elections. The newly elected committee will appoint a Chair from its members, to be ratified by the Delegates. Besides having duties for IBOD elections, this committee will also be used for any membership votes conducted during the year. More information on the duties of this important committee can be found in the September 5 HI Note or in the Corporate Manual.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND THIS ZOOM MEETING IS REQUIRED! Complete Form HAR-029 (found in the Members-only section of the website) by November 18, 2023 to receive the link to the meeting.
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| Honorary Member Nominations |
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Honorary Member Nominations
By Taralee Lashway, Director of Membership
Shortly after the last HI Note article regarding the Honorary Member Award, which was given in 2022 to Dr. David Wright appeared, I received a very kind and thoughtful email addressing an error in the article.
Tom Gentry, along with Russ Foris, Bill Macintosh and Larry Clemons were all presented the Honorary Member Award in 2012; making them the first Honorary Member of the Organization. A few years later, Jeanne O’Connor presented Tom the Honorary Life Member Award.
We value our Honorary Members with the highest regard, for they are a significant part of our history as well as our future. We thank Tom for all his wonderful contributions, and although Russ, Bill, and Larry have passed on, their legacy with Harmony, Inc. lives on.
This is the time of year when we are reminded that any Harmony, Inc. member and Associate member in good standing can nominate an individual who is suitable to serve as a Harmony, Inc. ambassador as an Honorary Member awardee.
In order to meet criteria for this honor, the Honoree:
- Would agree to attend and receive the Honorary Member Award at the Membership Meeting during that year’s Opening Ceremony of the International Convention.
- Would agree to take part in publicity and media coverage surrounding the presentation of the award.
- Work with Harmony, Inc.’s Public Relations Coordinator to represent and serve as a spokesperson and for the organization.
For more information and to find the nomination form, visit the Member’s Only section of the website (under Corporate Manual, Section 14.5) & Form, HAR-058.
Deadline for nominations to be considered is January 31, 2024!
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Your donations to the For Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time providing a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc.
?
from White Sands A Cappella in memory of Chris Rollins
from Area 6 in memory of Chris Rollins
from Vivace! quartet in honor of Harmony Youth
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| Condolences From The Membership |
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Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Corporate Office to be recorded. Thank you.
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3 NOVEMBER - End of Online IC&C registration. Tickets may still be purchased at the door.
5-8 NOVEMBER - IBOD Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan
8-11 NOVEMBER - IC&C, Grand Rapids, Michigan
19 NOVEMBER - Delegates/Associates meeting via Zoom at 2 p.m. EST
31 JANUARY 2024 - Deadline for nominations for Honorary Member
The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox October 20. What would YOU like to read about in that issue? Share your thoughts with editor@harmonyinc.org by October 13.
See you in a couple weeks!
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| International Conventions & Contests |
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2024 NOVEMBER 6-9, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2025 NOVEMBER 5-8, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2026 NOVEMBER 11-14, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2027 NOVEMBER 10-13, NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTER, NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY PA
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